Why is RNA required for DNA replication?
A) the lagging strand is synthesized as RNA
B) the double helix must be stabilized by RNA
C) DNA polymerase can only add nucleotides to an existing chain
D) single strand DNA must be stabilized as it is synthesized
E) RNA is converted to DNA after synthesis

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase can only add nucleotides to an existing chain. This chain is provided by a small RNA molecule called a primer. Without RNA primers, DNA polymerase would not be able to initiate replication because there would be no existing chain to add to. Therefore, RNA is required for DNA replication.

Why Is RNA Required for DNA Replication